The Anti-Migraine Workout

Packing on pounds can leave your head pounding: Obese people are 81 percent more likely to suffer from migraines compared to normal weight individuals, finds a new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Why? Fat cells may secrete proinflammatory proteins that also increase during a migraine attack (making the attacks more common), says study coauthor B. Lee Peterlin, D.O. And other factors feed the cycle: Some migraine meds may cause weight gain—and suffering from head pain might make you less active.

The good news: Dropping pounds can lessen the blow. And it’s worth it to trim down even if you aren’t obese—the study found that being overweight increased your odds of migraines by 28 percent.

One way to slim down and slash the pain? Simple: Exercise. People who did aerobic exercise three times a week for 10 weeks experienced 50 percent fewer headache days per month, according to a recent German study. It may be exercise, weight loss, or both that quells head pain, the researchers say.

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